"So I took my leave of Master Jeronymo, and of Don Diego and Dona Isabel, with many protestations and loutings; and again making low reverence unto my Lord Marquis, away hied I with Madam Gomez. She led me on by so many lobbies, one after the other, that methought we should never make an end and come to a chamber; but once, when I would have spoken, she checked me with a finger on the lip. At last she turned into a fair large chamber, well hung and garnished. She shut to the door, and then her lips unclosed. "`Here, Senora, is your chamber,' saith she. `Two small alcoves for sleeping be on the right, for yourself and your bower-woman; you have been looked for of long time, and she awaiteth you. I will send her to you when I depart.' "`I thank you,' quoth I. `May I pray you of her name?' "`Her name,' she answered, `is Maria Porcina' (the which should in English be Mary Little-pig. Methought it an unfair name). `It will please you,' she went on, `to speak but lowly, seeing your chamber is nigh unto those of our Lady.' "I thought that should please me but little. `Senora,' quoth I, `shall I have the honour to see the Queen's Grace at supper, think you?' "The Senora Gomez looked at me; then she went to the door and drew the bolt, and let back the curtain that was over the door. This done, she came back and sat in the window. "`Senora,' she saith, in a voice little above a whisper, `to the world outside we do not tell secrets. But unto a damsel so wise and discreet as your serenity, I will not fear to speak freely.' (Much, methought, she knew of my discretion!) `You desire to know if you shall see our Lady this even. No; you will never see her.' "`But,' said I, `I am come hither to read and write English for her Highness.' "`You are come to read and write for the Lord Marquis,' she answered; `not for her.' "`Certes,' said I, `that was not told me.' "`It is never told to any,' she replied. "`But what is the secret, I pray your excellency?' I asked. `Is the Queen's Highness sick, that she is never seen?' "`She is mad,' answered she. "`God have mercy on her!' cried I. "`_Y la Santisima_!' (And the most holy Virgin!) saith she. `That is what is said to the world. Be you ware, Dona Ines, that you gainsay it not.' "`Mean you that it is not true?' cried I. "`I mean,' quoth she, `that my Lord Marquis of Denia is master here, and is an ill one to offend. Say as he saith--that is our rule.' "`Then,' said I, `there is somewhat behind, which men may not know.'